Triangle/Local
A North Carolina man is charged with murder after telling authorities he killed his kids
ZEBULON, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina man who told authorities he killed four of his children and that the bodies were in the trunk of a vehicle at his home has been charged with one murder count. Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that Wellington Delano Dickens III is charged with one count of murder and is being held without bond in the Johnston County Jail. It says sheriffs deputies found human remains in his garage after he dialed 911 on Monday evening. Multiple additional charges were anticipated, according to the news release.
Composting Made Easy: Tips from the WPTF Weekend Gardener
One of the most economical and practical things you can do for the plants in your landscape and vegetable garden is to start a compost pile. We’ve discussed it fairly often on the “WPTF Weekend Gardener” over the last 40 years. The first step is to find a relatively shady well-drained location in your back yard. You don’t have to buy a container, just build your own or find a proper spot on the ground. A wire cylinder 3 to 4 feet in diameter will work or build a three-sided box that’s 4 to 5-feet high and wide. However, if you prefer, ready-made bins are easy to find.
Black enrollment is waning at many elite colleges after affirmative action ban, AP analysis finds
WASHINGTON (AP) — An Associated Press analysis finds that the number of Black students enrolling at many elite colleges has dropped in the two years since the Supreme Court banned affirmative action in admissions. New enrollment figures from 20 selective colleges provide mounting evidence of a backslide in Black enrollment. Many campuses have also seen decreases in Hispanic enrollment, though they have been more scattered and less pronounced. At Princeton and some others, the number of new Black students has fallen by nearly half. Some colleges attribute it to natural fluctuations. Some students say the changes are too big to ignore.
Federal grand jury indicts man for fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee on North Carolina train
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted a man for fatally stabbing a Ukrainian refugee on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina. The indictment on Wednesday charges him with causing death on a mass transportation system, keeping the possibility of a federal death penalty on the table. Brown allegedly stabbed 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska in a random attack captured on video. Brown had cycled through the criminal justice system for more than a decade, including earlier this year when he was arrested after repeatedly calling 911 from a hospital, claiming people were trying to control him.
COVID-19 vaccines may help some cancer patients fight tumors
WASHINGTON (AP) — The most widely used COVID-19 vaccines may offer a surprise benefit for some cancer patients by boosting their immune systems to help fight tumors. Research reported Wednesday in the journal Nature found that people with advanced lung or skin cancer lived longer if they received a Pfizer or Moderna shot within 100 days of starting a type of immunotherapy. The mRNA in these vaccines appears to enhance the immune system’s response. Now the research team is preparing a more rigorous study of the potential connection, to see if mRNA vaccines should be deliberately paired with cancer drugs called checkpoint inhibitors.
State/Regional
Flight disruptions continue as air traffic controllers brace for their first full missing paychecks
A shortage of air traffic controllers has caused more flight disruptions at airports across the country. On Monday, Los Angeles International Airport experienced brief delays, while Dallas and Austin airports saw delays averaging 20 and 40 minutes, respectively. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary ground stop in Austin earlier Monday for about an hour. The disruptions come as the federal government shutdown nears a month. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned last week of increased delays and cancellations as controllers work without pay. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association reports mandatory overtime and missed paychecks are adding stress to the job.
Virginia gubernatorial candidates debate trans youth rights as LGBTQ+ voters weigh a fraught moment
SALEM, Va. (AP) — The rights of trans youth could be a factor Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial election and legislative control in Richmond. Republican Winsome Earle-Sears opposes the rights of trans kids at school. Democrat Abigail Spanberger has largely avoided the subject. Each candidate is trying to cast the other as the extremist on the issue. LGBTQ+ Virginians have been grappling with what it means to be queer and trans in a moment where their identities are thrust into statewide and national politics. Other Virginians, meanwhile, worry about its impact on their children.
Democrats look to long term as North Carolina GOP redistricting plan seeks another seat for Trump
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democrats have rallied against a proposed U.S. House map by North Carolina Republicans in Raleigh. The new map seeks to stop the reelection of Democratic Rep. Don Davis by redrawing two congressional districts. This proposal could result in Republicans winning 11 of the state’s 14 seats. The GOP aims to satisfy President Donald Trump’s call for mid-decade redistricting to attempt to retain a House majority in 2026. The map seems headed for enactment after final House votes as soon as Wednesday. The state Senate gave its final approval Tuesday. Democrats at the rally acknowledged they’ll likely be unable to halt the redraw now but vowed wins in the long run.
North Carolina GOP advances congressional map to secure another House seat for Trump
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature has formally begun redrawing the state’s congressional district map. The effort aims to help the GOP gain another U.S. House seat, supporting Donald Trump’s push to retain party control at midterms. The state Senate voted Monday along party lines for new boundaries for two eastern districts. This move aims to thwart the reelection of Democratic Rep. Don Davis, one of the state’s three Black members of Congress. The proposed map should move to the House on Tuesday. Litigation challenging the map is almost certain, with allegations of harming Black voting power likely.
‘No Kings’ protests against Trump bring a street party vibe to cities nationwide
WASHINGTON (AP) — Large crowds of protesters have gathered in cities across the United for “No Kings” demonstrations against what they see a drift into authoritarianism under President Donald Trump. People carrying signs with slogans such as “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” or “Resist Fascism” packed into New York City’s Times Square on Saturday. They rallied by the thousands in parks in Boston, Atlanta and Chicago. There were also demonstrations outside capitols in several Republican-led states and hundreds of smaller public spaces. Republicans disparaged the demonstrations as “Hate America” rallies, but in many places the events looked more like a street party.
World/National
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa brings flooding and catastrophic winds to Jamaica
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Hurricane Melissa has hit southwestern Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, causing heavy flooding and wind damage. Melissa made landfall Tuesday in southwestern Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. Officials warned of devastating damage and urged residents to seek shelter as the hurricane crossed the island. Melissa’s winds tied records for the strongest Atlantic storm on landfall. The storm is expected to move toward Cuba, where authorities prepared for evacuations. The hurricane has already caused seven deaths in the Caribbean. Relief efforts are underway, with supplies and emergency services ready to assist.
Trump praises Japan’s new prime minister, saying US is an ‘ally at the strongest level’
TOKYO (AP) — President Donald Trump began one of his busiest days of his Asia trip on Tuesday by warmly greeting the new Japanese prime minister. He plans to later speak to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier and mingle with business leaders. Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister just days ago and aims to strengthen ties with Trump while defending Japan’s economic interests. Trump seeks $550 billion in Japanese investment to reduce U.S. tariffs. He arrived in Tokyo on Monday after attending a summit in Malaysia. There, he celebrated a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. Meanwhile, tensions between the U.S. and China appear to be cooling, with a trade deal possibly in the works. Trump plans to leave for South Korea on Wednesday.
Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1 as the government shutdown drags on. The cutoff would expand the impact of the impasse to some of the Americans most in need unless a resolution is found in just a few days. The notice comes after the Trump administration said it will not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the benefits flowing into November. The Trump administration blames Democrats, who say they won’t agree to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate with them on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke marijuana can legally own guns, the latest firearm case to come before the court since its 2022 decision expanding gun rights. The high court agreed to hear the case Monday. President Donald Trump’s administration is asking the justices to revive a case against a Texas man charged with a felony because he allegedly had a gun in his home and acknowledged being a regular pot user. Defense attorneys got the charge tossed out after an appeals court largely struck down a law that bans guns from users of illegal drugs under the high court’s more expansive view of the Second Amendment.
US envoys arrive in Israel to shore up the Gaza truce after violence flares
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Two of U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys traveled to Israel to shore up the tenuous ceasefire that’s holding in Gaza, a day after the fragile deal faced its first major flareup. On Sunday, Israel had threatened to halt aid transfers, and its forces killed dozens in strikes after accusing Hamas militants of killing two soldiers. By Monday, an Israeli security official said the delivery of food and other humanitarian aid into Gaza would resume through multiple crossings after Israeli inspection. It was not immediately clear if the flow of aid had restarted. The U.S.-proposed truce aims to end two years of war, but tensions remain high.
Entertainment
The Louvre reopens 3 days after one of the biggest museum heists of the century
PARIS (AP) — The Louvre has reopened just three days after a daring heist shocked the world. Thieves made off with eight pieces from France’s Crown Jewels, valued at over $100 million. The theft has put President Emmanuel Macron and Louvre chief Laurence des Cars under scrutiny. Authorities say the thieves spent less than four minutes inside the museum on Sunday morning. The jewels remain missing, and the thieves are still at large. The heist has raised questions about the museum’s security, especially after recent staff strikes warned of understaffing. The Louvre has declined to detail any reinforced protocols.
Amazon cloud computing outage disrupts Snapchat, Ring and many other online services
LONDON (AP) — Amazon’s cloud computing service experienced a major outage on Monday, disrupting many online services like Snapchat, Roblox, and Signal. The issue began around 3 a.m. Eastern Time, affecting Amazon’s own services like Ring and Alexa. Amazon blamed the problem on its domain name system, which translates web addresses into IP addresses. By around 6 a.m., Amazon reported recovery across most services. This isn’t the first time AWS has faced such issues, with previous outages in 2023 and 2021. Experts say these disruptions highlight the internet’s reliance on a few major cloud providers.
Limp Bizkit band members say bass player Sam Rivers has died
Limp Bizkit band members say bass player Sam Rivers died on Saturday. His bandmates are praising him as “pure magic” and “the soul in the sound.” Lead singer Fred Durst says Rivers’ musical gift is going to keep on giving. The 48-year-old Rivers had previously left the band in 2015 due to liver disease but rejoined three years later. Limp Bizkit is scheduled to tour Central and South America starting in late November. Limp Bizkit has roots in Jacksonville, Florida. It emerged in the late 1990s with a sound that melds altenative rock, heavy metal and rap.
Thieves strike Louvre in brazen jewel heist as the world’s most visited museum shuts
PARIS (AP) — Thieves have pulled off a daring heist at the Louvre, using a basket lift to reach the museum on Sunday morning. They forced a window, smashed display cases, and fled with jewels of “inestimable value,” according to France’s interior minister. The museum closed for the day as police sealed gates and ushered visitors out. The robbery took place in the Galerie d’Apollon, where part of the French Crown Jewels are displayed. The thieves reportedly took nine pieces from the jewelry collection of Napoleon and the Empress. Security and staffing at the Louvre have been under scrutiny.
Meta adds parental controls for AI-teen interactions
Meta is adding parental controls to kids’ interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots — including the ability to turn off one-on-one chats with AI characters altogether. However, parents won’t be able to turn off Meta’s AI assistant. Meta says the AI assistant will “will remain available to offer helpful information and educational opportunities, with default, age-appropriate protections in place to help keep teens safe.” Parents who don’t want to turn off chats with all AI characters will also be able to block specific characters.
Sports
Michael Brennan wins Utah Championship on an invitation and gets 2-year PGA Tour exemption
IVINS, Utah (AP) — Michael Brennan was dominant on the PGA Tour Americas this summer and just as dominant at the Bank of Utah Championship. He shot a 66 on Sunday for a four-shot victory at Black Desert. Brennan was a sponsor exemption who earned a Korn Ferry Tour spot as the leader of PGA Tour Americas. Now he bypasses the Korn Ferry Tour and has a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour with his victory. He also gets in the PGA Championship and the $20 million RBC Heritage. He’s the first sponsor exemption to win since Nick Dunlap at The American Express last year.
James Cook runs for 216 yards and 2 TDs, Allen accounts for 3 TDs as Bills rout Panthers 40-9
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — James Cook ran for a career-high 216 yards and two touchdowns, Josh Allen accounted for three touchdowns and the Buffalo Bills returned from their bye with a resounding 40-9 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Allen improved to 8-0 following the bye week and established an NFL record by becoming the first player to run and throw for a touchdown in 46 games, breaking the mark previously held by former Panthers QB Cam Newton. Allen’s 77 career rushing touchdowns (including playoff games) tied Newton for the most all-time. Cook had touchdown runs of 64 and 21 yards.
No. 16 Virginia edges North Carolina in overtime on J’Mari Taylor’s TD run
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — J’Mari Taylor scored on a 1-yard run in overtime, lifting No. 16 Virginia to a 17-16 victory over North Carolina on Saturday. The Tar Heels answered with Davion Gause’s 9-yard touchdown grab, but Ben Hall was stopped just short of the end zone on the ensuing 2-point try. Chandler Morris threw for 200 yards with one touchdown and one interception for the Cavaliers (7-1, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who are off to their best start since 2007. Gio Lopez finished with 208 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Tar Heels (2-5, 0-3), who lost their fourth straight.
NBA head coach and player charged in sprawling sports betting and Mafia-backed poker schemes
NEW YORK (AP) — The head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and a player for the Miami Heat have been arrested along with more than 30 other people in a takedown of two sprawling gambling operations that authorities said leaked inside information about NBA athletes and rigged poker games backed by Mafia families. Portland coach Chauncey Billups was charged Thursday with participating in a conspiracy to fix high-stakes card games tied to La Cosa Nostra organized crime families that cheated unsuspecting gamblers out of at least $7 million. Heat guard Terry Rozier was accused in a separate scheme of exploiting private information about players to win bets on NBA games.
QB Bryce Young sits out practice as Panthers amp up preparation for matchup against Bills
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young did not practice on Wednesday as the team amped up preparation for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Young, who suffered a right ankle sprain in the second half of Carolina’s 13-6 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, walked into practice without a noticeable limp and carrying his helmet. However, he headed straight to the stationary bike while teammates began their stretching routine. As the Panthers went into practice mode, Young remained on the side working with trainers, doing resistance training and light jogging. If Young can’t play Sunday, veteran Andy Dalton would get the start at quarterback.
